Resume for Paralegal
About this form
A resume for paralegals is a document that showcases the qualifications, skills, and experiences of individuals seeking employment in this legal support role. Unlike generic resumes, this specialized template is tailored to highlight essential legal competencies and relevant training required for a paralegal position.
Form components explained
- Contact information: Name, phone number, and email address.
- Professional summary: A brief overview of your qualifications and career goals.
- Education: Details of any relevant degrees and certifications.
- Experience: A list of past positions, employers, and key responsibilities.
- Skills: Essential skills for paralegals, such as legal research, writing, and communication abilities.
When this form is needed
This form should be used when applying for paralegal positions in law firms, corporations, or government agencies. It can be beneficial when transitioning from a related field, seeking to capitalize on relevant legal education, or applying for internships or entry-level positions in the legal sector.
Who should use this form
- Individuals who have completed paralegal training or education.
- Those seeking to enter the paralegal profession or advance their legal careers.
- Professionals looking to transition from related fields, such as legal secretarial work.
Completing this form step by step
- Identify your contact information and clearly list it at the top of the resume.
- Write a professional summary that highlights your career objectives and relevant qualifications.
- Enter your educational background, including degrees and relevant certifications.
- List your work experience chronologically, focusing on roles related to law or legal support.
- Detail your skills, emphasizing those pertinent to the paralegal field.
Notarization requirements for this form
This form does not typically require notarization to be legally valid. However, some jurisdictions or document types may still require it. US Legal Forms provides secure online notarization powered by Notarize, available 24/7 for added convenience.
Get your form ready online
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Make edits, fill in missing information, and update formatting in US Legal Forms—just like you would in MS Word.
Download a copy, print it, send it by email, or mail it via USPS—whatever works best for your next step.
Sign and collect signatures with our SignNow integration. Send to multiple recipients, set reminders, and more. Go Premium to unlock E-Sign.
If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.
We protect your documents and personal data by following strict security and privacy standards.
Make edits, fill in missing information, and update formatting in US Legal Forms—just like you would in MS Word.
Download a copy, print it, send it by email, or mail it via USPS—whatever works best for your next step.
Sign and collect signatures with our SignNow integration. Send to multiple recipients, set reminders, and more. Go Premium to unlock E-Sign.
If this form requires notarization, complete it online through a secure video call—no need to meet a notary in person or wait for an appointment.
We protect your documents and personal data by following strict security and privacy standards.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Including irrelevant work experience that does not relate to the paralegal field.
- Failing to tailor the resume for a specific paralegal position.
- Using overly complicated language or legal jargon that may confuse potential employers.
- Neglecting to proofread for spelling and grammatical errors.
Benefits of completing this form online
- Convenient access to downloadable templates that can be customized easily.
- Editable formats allow users to modify their resumes quickly based on job applications.
- Reliability of legal templates drafted by licensed attorneys ensures compliance with professional standards.
Quick recap
- Using a specialized resume template increases your chances of securing a paralegal position.
- Clearly displaying your skills and experience helps potential employers assess your fit for the role.
- Customizing your resume for each application is crucial for demonstrating your understanding of the job requirements.
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FAQ
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegals make an average of $50,940 a year. The position's pay can vary dramatically. The lowest 10% of paralegals earn less than $31,400, and the highest 10% earn more than $82,050. They may also earn a bonus every year, depending on their employer.
There are great jobs, and there are bad jobs, but most positions fall somewhere in between. A career as a paralegal, also known as a legal assistant, can be a wonderfully fulfilling profession, but it also has its disadvantages, from a lack of respect to high levels of stress.
Highly organized (this is on 99% of the lists you'll find) Good communication skills (another popular trait or characteristic associated with paralegals) Excellent research and writing skills. Ability to multitask. Good computer skills. Pays close attention to detail. Works well independently.
Paralegals are in high demand! The types of law and legal specialty areas are diverse, and employment opportunities for paralegals are projected to grow 15% from 2016 to 2026. This is a much faster rate than the average for all other occupations.
Paralegals investigate the facts of a case, collect documents from a variety of sources, research legal cases, write reports and legal documents, draft pleadings and motions to be filed with the court, and assist attorneys during trials.
Highly organized (this is on 99% of the lists you'll find) Good communication skills (another popular trait or characteristic associated with paralegals) Excellent research and writing skills. Ability to multitask. Good computer skills. Pays close attention to detail. Works well independently.
Conduct client interviews and maintain general contact with the client. Locate and interview witnesses. Conduct investigations, statistical and documentary research. Conduct legal research. Draft legal documents, correspondence and pleadings. Summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimony.
The bottom line is that your paralegal career is going to be whatever you make it you're in control. As with any job, being a paralegal has its good days and bad, but overall I've found it to be a very rewarding career choice.
These new responsibilities require exceptional writing skills and the ability to draft effective motions, briefs and contracts in a clear and persuasive manner. Paralegals must also be proficient with legal research databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis.